Update June 5, 2020

 

Dear Friends,

At the Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine we are bound by a belief that public health and human dignity are inseparable. One is impossible without the other. As scientists, physicians, and citizens, we cannot stay silent or still while pervasive injustice and inequity continue to threaten our collective wellbeing.

We are deeply disturbed by the murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor, and by all acts of racism targeting the Black community. These injustices cause anguish for families, tear at our social fabric, and undermine our humanity.

We know that many of our own faculty, staff, and students are heartbroken and hurting. We see you. We hear you. And in the end, we know only our actions can heal the wounds inflicted by injustice, purge hate from our culture, and enable us to become our best selves as human beings.

Today, we encourage all members of the ISCRM community to stand up for human dignity, to speak out when we see bias or racism, and to actively foster inclusion at all levels. Change is imperative, and progress will only happen if we learn and grow together. Toward that end, ISCRM will be committing energy and resources toward eradicating conscious and unconscious bias, building a more diverse community, and reaching out to youth in underserved populations.

We recognize that we can and must do better. We have hard work in front of us. Join us in these critical endeavors, as we work to make this a better place for all of us

Thank you,

ISCRM Executive Committee

Chuck Murry, ISCRM Director
Hannele Ruohola-Baker, Associate Director
Carol Ware, Associate Director
Kelly Stevens, Councilor
Jessica Young, Councilor
Kris Vosk, Manager
Thatcher Heldring, Communications
Jeannie Stuyvesant, Advancement